Question 1: What does the phrase 'that spot of joy' suggest about the Duke's attitude towards his wife? How does it reflect his personality?

Answer: It suggests the Duke is dismissive or slightly sarcastic, viewing his wife's smile as a minor 'spot of joy' rather than genuine happiness. This reflects his cold, controlling nature and tendency to diminish others' feelings.

Question 2: Analyze the line 'The curtain I have drawn for you, but I' – what does the imagery of the curtain imply about the Duke's control?

Answer: The curtain symbolizes concealment and control over the Duchess's reputation and actions. The Duke's act of drawing the curtain indicates he controls what others see and knows about her.

Question 3: Identify and explain the significance of the metaphor in 'her looks went everywhere.'

Answer: This metaphor suggests that the Duchess's expressions or looks were lively and unrestrained, possibly flirtatious or too natural, which the Duke disapproves of as a sign of her lack of propriety and her challenge to his authority.

Question 4: Quote Explosion: Analyze the significance of the line 'Looking as if she were alive.' What does this reveal about the Duke's attitude?

Answer: The phrase emphasizes the Duke's desire for control and perfection; he wants her to appear obedient and 'alive' only in a way that pleases him. It reveals his obsession with appearances and his possessive attitude.

Question 5: How does Browning use rhyme and meter in this poem to create a tone of control and authority?

Answer: The regular rhyme scheme and controlled iambic pentameter create a formal, commanding tone, reflecting the Duke's authoritative personality and the poem's underlying themes of power and manipulation.

Question 6: Identify a language device used in the line 'Since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I' and explain its effect.

Answer: The use of the personal pronoun 'I' emphasizes the Duke's possessiveness and control, reinforcing his dominance and the authoritative tone of the poem.

Question 7: Discuss how Browning subtly reveals the Duke's personality through the description of the painting of the Duchess.

Answer: Browning describes the Duchess's portrait with calmness and detachment, highlighting the Duke's obsession with control and appearances. The emphasis on her smile and the possessive tone suggest a jealous, controlling nature, and his discomfort with her naturalness hints at his insecurity.

Question 8: Compare the theme of power in 'My Last Duchess' with that in 'Ozymandias.' How do both poems explore the idea of control?

Answer: Both poems explore the corrupting and transient nature of power. 'My Last Duchess' shows personal control and possessiveness, while 'Ozymandias' depicts the arrogance of rulers and the inevitable decline of their power. Browning and Shelley highlight how power can be fleeting and ultimately meaningless in the face of time.

Question 1: Identify and explain two language devices Browning uses to portray the Duke’s attitude towards the Duchess.

Answer: Browning uses metaphor ('her looks went everywhere') to suggest her naturalness and lack of control, and personification ('the faint half-flush that dies along her throat') to evoke her vitality, which the Duke sees as inappropriate for his standards.

Question 2: How does Browning develop the theme of reputation and appearances through specific lines in the poem?

Answer: The Duke’s emphasis on the portrait and his controlling language about the Duchess’s behavior highlight the importance of reputation. The curtain imagery and the controlled description of her smile suggest that appearances are manipulated to maintain social standing.

Question 1: Outline key points for comparing the portrayal of power in both poems, including techniques and messages.

Answer: Both Browning and Shelley examine the fleeting and corrupting nature of power. Browning uses the Duke’s possessiveness and control to show personal power, while Shelley presents the arrogance of Ozymandias as a symbol of the hubris of rulers. Techniques include Browning’s use of dramatic monologue and Shelley’s vivid imagery. Both highlight that true power is temporary and ultimately insignificant.